Michael Mikulka, an engineer for the EPA, says the reduced budget would cut the staff members who do field work to investigate potential problems. That means “less cops on the beat.”

“That gives those that would take the opportunity to not meet the standards a better chance at not getting caught,” he said.

But Mikulka’s boss, U.S. EPA Director Scott Pruitt argues that his agency can trim the budget and still meet the core mission of improving land, air and water quality.

Tracy Sabetta with Moms Clean Air Force notes that the proposed budget would make a 44 percent cut in state grant funding, adding that Ohio has recently used $13 million in that kind of funding to improve the Lake Erie watershed.